From the Couch to the Canvass
by Lauren Trendler
To many people outside of DSA I am the “political friend.” Over the years I have fielded questions such as, “Who should I vote for in this primary or down ballot race?”, “Did Obama really build the cages that Trump filled?” and “What’s wrong with [insert pundit here]?” with the answer typically being “They were mean to Bernie.”
When a running mate is chosen or a Supreme Court seat becomes vacant, my phone blows up. I enjoy this role, but lately I’ve been a little off my game in following national politics. I haven’t paid much attention to the bipartisan infrastructure bill negotiations or the latest quip from Ted Cruz or Marjorie Taylor Greene, though I’m sure it’s all ridiculous and awful. I wouldn’t say I’ve checked out, rather I’ve checked in.
This month in Detroit the Police Department has used helicopters for a recruitment stunt, the incumbent City Clerk sent absentee ballot requests with the wrong return address, and a downpour has caused a climate catastrophe of major flooding, testing the limits of our crumbling local infrastructure. Meanwhile, a proposal to revise the city’s charter has faced a rollercoaster ride in making its way onto the municipal primary ballot.
Like your uncle yelling at the TV as the Lions continue to disappoint, I’ve provided a lot of armchair commentary towards strategists on Meet the Press who insist that milquetoast moderates are the key to winning security moms, suburban moms, or whatever mom demographic is key to victory in each campaign cycle.
However, the more active I’ve become in organizing around local politics, the less mental space I’ve had to follow the national scene.
As Detroit DSA’s Electoral Committee Co-Chair, I have helped shape an intentional direction of our committee and chapter’s work, where getting a candidate elected is the beginning, not the end of our work on a campaign. Canvassing is not just about securing a vote, but activating the community and recruiting people to our chapter. What we in the socialist movement call “electoral politics” is what the average person sees simply as “politics.”
We know there is more to our work, but it is undeniable that electing more socialists to office has driven our organization’s growth. Detroit DSA has members who have joined because someone knocked on their door asking them to sign a petition to get Landis Spencer on the ballot for Board of Police Commissioners in District 6. This is proof of concept for our socialist electoral project!
The city is taking notice of our organizing power. In the year since our beautiful boy Bernie was kneecapped again, the Electoral Committee has worked to re-elect the best member of congress, Rashida Tlaib; delivered a decisive victory for State Rep. Abraham Aiyash; took an issue-based campaign and formed an entirely grassroots, homegrown electoral campaign; and formed a Detroit for All slate including Denzel McCampbell for City Clerk and Proposal P.
Local electoral organizing is a long game with no shortcuts. It can be disheartening to watch the establishment use every trick in the book to block our candidates and proposals from the ballot and protect the status quo. This only proves the necessity and importance of our work. We can draw inspiration from our comrades in Buffalo DSA, where India Walton is poised to become the first openly socialist mayor of a major city in over 60 years.
To borrow from some hippie bumper stickers, thinking globally and acting locally and being the change you wish to see in the world can truly make a difference. We have the opportunity to elect candidates who are running to change the material conditions of Detroiters. Once you overcome the initial nervousness of knocking on the first door, it can be exhilarating to connect with voters on a slate that will improve their lives and community. It sure beats doom scrolling through the latest updates from reactionary Republicans and do-nothing Democrats.
In order to realize our goal of electing more socialists to office who will represent working people, not the capitalist elite, we need to grow to scale and hold our elected officials accountable. The Detroit for All campaign is our warmup for the 2022 elections. We are already formulating plans for a strong slate, to join the ranks of NYC DSA as an electoral powerhouse. I am proud of what we have achieved thus far and honored to represent our chapter in fighting for a better world at the ballot box and beyond. If you join our next canvass, the first round’s on me.
Volunteer for the Detroit for All campaign:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNn_ct6MijS6GTQtoxMHJ3eGlMqKnE5KuAsuJY6Qmir_GWNA/viewform
Donate to Denzel:
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/denzelforclerk
Donate to Landis:
https://www.landis4bopc.com/donate
The Detroit Socialist is produced and run by members of Detroit DSA’s Newspaper Collective. Interested in becoming a member of Detroit DSA? Go to metrodetroitdsa.com/join to become a member. Send a copy of the dues receipt to: membership@metrodetroitdsa.com in order to get plugged in to our activities! Detroit DSA’s Electoral Committee meets biweekly on Tuesdays at 5:00PM. Want to volunteer with the Detroit for All campaign? Sign up here tinyurl.com/joind4a
